Check-indorsing machine



Jan. 21, 1930. L. J. ZAHN' 1,7 4,432

caiscx z'rwonsms mcamn Filed Jan. 20. 1927 2 Sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR Lawrence 4.! Z'afin STATES PATENT LAWRENCE J. ZAI-IN, 0F LONG ISLAND CITY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO INTERNATIQNAL POSTAL SUPPLY COMPANY, OF BROOKLYN, NEVI YORK GHEGK-INLORSING MACHINE Application filed January 20, 1927. Serial No. 162,263.

This invention relates to improvements in a check indorsing machine, such as disclosed in my Patent 1,548,699 issued August 4th, 1925.

It has been found in the operation of such a machine that in centain localities, and in certain conditions of weather that the rolls for passing the checks through the machine, generate frictional or static electricity so that the checks being relatively thin and light strips of paper, are attracted to the frame work immediately adjacent the printing die, and do not drop into the receptacle provided for them, with the result that the operation of the machine is hampered.

It is therefore the principal object of my invention to provide means for dissipating these electrical static charges, and to insure the positive movement of the checks through the machine to their receptacle.

While attaining the principal object of my invention there is a further object to provide the required means in a simple and inexpensive manner.

My invention will be readily understood by reference to the annexed drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a partial. plan view of a check indorsing machine with the cover removed.

Figure 2, is a fragmentary view of a check indorsing machine such as shown in my patent previously referred to. Fi ure 3, is a view on a reduced scale of the check indorsing machine, such as shown in my patent previously referred to. Figure 4, is a plan view of the portion 2, of Figure 3, looking at the part when placed in the position shown in dotted lines of Figure 3, showing my improvements added thereto.

Figure 5 is an end view of the part shown 1n Figure 4, but with a portion removed on the line 55 of Figure 4:.

Referring now to the details wherein like numbers refer to the corresponding parts in the different views: 1 is a framework, carrying a part 2, that is rotatable about the pivot 3. On the part 2, is carried an electric motor 4t, which is connected through the medium of the necessary gears and chain 5, with a trip and clutch mechanism 6. A handwheel 7 is attached to a drive shaft 35, and is used for setting the die 8. A handwheel 17 carried on the end of the stub shaft 10 is adapted to be pulled out against the tension of a release spring 18 in order to remove the die 8. A key 9 is inserted through the hollow stub shaft 10, for the purpose of controlling the mechanism of the die 8.

A trip tongue 11 controls the operation of the die all as set forth in my patent previously referred to. The checks or other papers to be stamped are fed into the die through the medium of the rollers 12 and 13. 14lis a stop disc fastened to the drive shaft, While 15 and 16 are die spindle feeding rolls which run as idlers on independent bearings, preferably f the non-frictional type.

The above brief description of the check indorsing machine has been given merely that my improvements may be better understood.

My improvement comprises a rotatable shaft or spindle 28 having its ends positioned in bearing members 31 and 32 carried in the sides of the framework 2. Fastened to the shaft 28 is a lever 33, which is engaged by a cam or lever member 34 carried by the shaft 35. 36 a member used in the control of the operation of the die, which it is to be understood, after making a stamping impression, locid in position and then released again Ly the trip lever 11, and then completes a revolution, stamping the check or other papers and then held by the locking device until released again.

means for catciiing the the printing die 8. This preferably comprises a plu arms 26 and 27, which are a bers 29 fastened to the shaft 2 The arms 26 and 27 extend o 'wardiy over .16 framework so as to prevent the checks from touching the frame 2 and as the lever engaged by the cam 3d, it is given a sudden impulse which is transmitted to the arms 26 and 27, causing them to suddenly rotate through a small angle, and quickly returned to normal position by a spring 30. This action gives the checks a sudden impulse and causes them to move into the receptacle 37 below the portion 2, (see Figure 3).

In order to dissipate the static charges, I provide a moisture carrying device in the form of a cylindrical member 20, preferably perforated as at 24, throughout its length. The device 20 is held to the frame 2, as by spring members 21 and 22, held to the frame 2 b screws 38. The members 21 and 22 prefera ly extend inwardly so that the inner end 33 rests on the framework 2 adjacent the spindle 28. This construction provides a quick detachable means for removing the device 20 for the purpose of applying moisture to an absorbent material 25, carried within the cylindrical member. The member 20 has a pair of arcuate grooves cut therein so as to insure that the arms 26 and 27 will rest directly on the moisture absorbent material, whereby moisture is picked up and a very small amount t 'ansferred to members 26 and 27, so that the members 26 and 27 are effectually grounded, and the static charges on the checks are quickly dissipated and the checks are thrown into the receptacle 37.

It will be noted that the surface area of the receiving means is extremely small, whereas without my improvements the checks in coming through the machine would engage the surface 2 of the framework over their entire area, so that by my construction I have reduced the cooperating area with the check or other paper, and at the same time have provided means for removing the static charges from these members or their equivalent.

In certain localities the moisture device 20 is not necessary, as the other parts herein described are sufficient to insure positive passage of the checks through the machine, hence I do not wish it to be understoou that the moistening device must be used in all cases, and from what has been said it will be appreciated that the moist-suing device nay be quickly applied when found to be necessary.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

1. In a machine of the class described including means for passing checks therethrough and means for stamping indicia thereon, parts of the frame work of the machine being closely adjacent said stan'iping means, means for preventing the checks from engaging the surface of the framework of the machine adjacent the stamping means, said preventing means con'iprising at least two members of little surface area to receive the checks and means acting on said receiving members for positively moving by a sudden short impulse the checks after they leave said stamping means, and reach said members, to the receptacle provided for them.

2. In a machine of the class described, including means for passing checks therethrough and means for stamping indicia thereon. parts of the frame work of the machine being closely adjacent said stamping means, means for preventing the checks from sticking due to causes herein set forth, to the surface of the framework of the machine adjacent the stamping means, said preventing means comprising, receiving means of little surface area for catching the checks as they come from the stamping means and means associated with a movable member of the machine for giving said receiving means a sudden short impulse to dislodge the check therefrom and send them into a receptacle provided to receive them.

3. In a machine of the class described, including means for passing checks therethrough, and means for stan'iping indicia thereon, parts of the frame work of the machine being closely adjacent said stamping means, means for preventing the checks from sticking due to causes herein forth, to the surface of the framework of the machine adjacent the stamping means, said preventing means comprising a plurality of spaced arms for catching the checks as they come from the stamping means, a rotatable rod carrying said arms, a lever fastened to the rod and means operated by a movable member of the machine for giving said lever and hence said arms a sudden short impulse to cause th checks to leave the arms and pass into a re ceptacle provided to receive them.

4:. In a machine of the class described, in: cluding means for passing cheeks therethrough, and means for stamping indicia thereon, means for preventing the checks from sticking due to causes herein set forth, to the surface of the framework of the machine adjacent the stamping means, said preventing means comprising a plurality of spaced arms for catching the checks as they come from the stamping means, a moisture carrying device supported on the framework of the machine so as to be engaged by said arms, a rotatable rod carrying said arms, a lever fastened to the rod and means operated by a movable member of the machine for giving said lever and hence said arms a suddcnt impulse to cause the checks to leave the arms and pass into a receptacle provided to receive them.

5. In a machine of the class described, including means for passing checks therethrough, and means for stamping indicia thereon, means for preventing the checks from sticking due to causes herein set forth, to the surface of the framework of the machine adjacent the stamping means, said preventing means comprising a plurality of spaced arms for catching the checks as they come from the stamping means, a moisture carrying device supported on the frame work of the machine so as to be engaged by said arms, said device consisting of a perforated cylindrically shaped member filled with moisture absorbent material, said member having grooves therein whereby said arms can rest directly on the moisture absorbent material, a rotatable rod carrying said arms, a lever fastened to the rod and means operated by a movable member of the machine for giving said lever and hence said arms, a sudden impulse to cause the checks to leave the arms and pass into a receptacle provided to receive them.

6. In a machine of the class described, including means for passing checks therethrough and means for stamping indicia thereon; means for preventing the checks from sticking due to causes herein set forth to the surface of the framework of the machine adjacent the stamping means, said preventing means comprising, receiving means for catching the checks as they come from the stamping means, a moisture distributing device carried on the framework of the machine and so positioned as to be engaged by said receiving means whereby the same is effectually grounded to the framework and means associated with a movable member of the machine for giving said receiving means a sudden impulse to dislodge the check therefrom and send them into a receptacle provided to receive them.

7. In a machine of the class described including means for passing checks therethrough and means for stamping indicia thereon; means for preventing the checks from sticking due to causes herein set forth to the surface of the framework of the machine adjacent the stamping means, said preventing means comprising, receiving means for catching the checks as they come from the stamping means, means for effectually grounding to the framework said receiving means and means associated with a movable member of the machine for giving said receiving means a sudden short impulse to dislodge the checks therefrom and send them into a receptacle provided to receive them.

8. In a machine of the class described including means for passing checks there through and means for stamping indicia thereon; means for preventing the checks from sticking due to causes herein set forth to the surface of the framework of the machine adjacent the stamping means, said preventing means comprising, receiving means for catching the checks asthey come from the stamping means, a quickly detachable grounding device fastened to the framework and positioned thereon so as to be normally engaged by said receiving means, but momentarily disengaged therefrom, and means associated with a movable member of the machine for giving said receiving means a sud den impulse to dislodge the checks therefrom and send them into a receptacle provided for them.

In testimony whereof, I aifiX my signature.

LAWRENCE J. ZAHN. 

